Nagaland has recorded a total 23,163 HIV and AIDS cases from 1999 till March 2018, out of which, 1521 persons have lost their lives to the disease, 16,983 PLHIV have registered for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) till March 2018, and 11,444 have started ART, 7290 PLHIV, who are on ART need regular medication and monitoring tests.

This was revealed during the observation of the 35th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service held at RHFPC Satellite Centre in Kohima was jointly organized by NNP+, KNP+, Family Planning Association of India (Nagaland Branch), Kripa Foundation, NUN, Kohima Users Network and ARK Foundation under the theme ‘Reflecting on our past, preparing for our future,’ where a clarion call was made towards putting in a concerted effort to reduce the spread of HIV.

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. ARK Foundation President Ketho Angami informed that there have been 23,163 HIV reported cases in Nagaland (1999-March 2018). Of this, 1521 AIDS related deaths have been reported in Nagaland, he said.

Expressing serious concern over the increasing number of new HIV infections, he stressed on the need to revamp the approach strategy. “We need to do a lot better. As long as there is new entry in HIV infection, there will always be a need to provide treatment,” he said. Ketho added that there have been significant challenges in regard to ARV shortage-stock outs, breakdown of CD4 machines, and the lack of a viral load machine in the state. “Our approach strategy has to shift focus in preventing new infection among the youth population between the age of 25 to 34 (41%) and also mull on preventing the ANC and Sexual route of transmission in the state, which attributes to 91% of the total mode of HIV transmission in our state,” he said.

There are 16,983 registered on ART till March 2018, while only 11,444 have been put on ART and as of this period’s report there are 7290 on ART who need regular medication, and monitoring test. Informing that TB is the most common infection, he said: “to win the battle over AIDS, we cannot continue to have a lukewarm approach towards TB. The working relation and partnership has to start between NSACS and RNTCP and the NGOs working on AIDS.” He further viewed that a similar approach has to be formulated with the health department on viral hepatitis for treatment of HIV and Hepatitis co infections.

He meanwhile called for reactivation of the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA), adding that when there is massive need for combating AIDS, political will cannot be confined only to the Rs. 1 Lakh contribution. “Our legislators have to budget certain provisions for innovative strategies on top of the NACO stereotype approach which is not yielding a satisfactory result. It is time for the Chief Minister to convene the meeting of the AIDS council,” he said. He urged policy makers to re commit themselves to preventing further AIDS related deaths.